In one paragraph
Hawaii's HB 639 HD 1 (2025) would have required businesses and individuals in commercial transactions to clearly disclose before using an AI chatbot that could lead a reasonable person to think they are talking to a natural person, and chatbot developers to disclose their chatbot uses AI and can mimic human behavior. It would have allowed suits with the greater of $1,000 or treble damages and civil penalties up to $5,000,000. It passed House second reading February 5, 2025 and was referred to CPC, was carried over to 2026 on December 8, 2025 and was not enacted.
Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.
What it means for business
None: the bill did not pass. It would have required chatbot disclosures from businesses and developers, with private lawsuits and civil penalties of up to $5,000,000.
Key provisions
- Would add a part to HRS chapter 481B: a business or individual may not use a chatbot or human-mimicking technology in a way that may deceive a reasonable person into believing they are talking to a natural person unless it first clearly and conspicuously discloses it
- A small business that unknowingly uses chatbots would not violate unless it got clear notice of the law and failed to comply after a reasonable opportunity
- Chatbot developers may not sell or make available a chatbot without clearly disclosing that it uses AI and can mimic human behavior
- Violations would be unfair or deceptive acts; injured persons could recover the greater of $1,000 or threefold damages plus fees, total class-action damages capped at $10,000,000, and the attorney general and OCP could seek injunctions
- Civil penalty of no more than $5,000,000; effective date written as July 1, 3000; passed second reading as amended in HD 1 February 5, 2025; carried over to 2026 December 8, 2025
Latest legislative action
Dec 8, 2025. Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
Sponsors (showing 5 of 9)
| Name | Role | District |
|---|---|---|
| Amy Perruso D | Sponsor | HD-046 |
| Chris Todd D | Sponsor | HD-003 |
| Elijah Pierick R | Sponsor | HD-039 |
| Gene Ward R | Sponsor | HD-018 |
| Kim Iwamoto D | Sponsor | HD-025 |
Topics and industries
Related topics
Affected industries
This page is general information, not legal advice. Summaries are AI-assisted and may contain errors; read the statute for the controlling text and talk to a lawyer about your situation. Full disclaimer · Report an error